The number of Americans claiming initial jobless benefits fell unexpectedly last week to 303,000, the lowest level in more than four years, a government report showed on Thursday.
First-time claims for state unemployment insurance aid fell for the second straight week, slipping 13,000 in the week ended Feb. 5 from 316,000 in the previous week and to the lowest since 302, 000 in October 2000 - before the recession began.
Wall Street economists had forecast a rise in claims to 325,000.
A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors behind the drop in initial benefits.
The closely watched four-week moving average, which smooths weekly volatility, also fell for the second straight week, dropping 16,000 to 315,500 -- its lowest since November 2000, the department said.
The number of people who remain on the benefit rolls after an initial week of aid rose 47,000 in the week ended Jan. 29, the latest week for which figures are available. The number of so-called continued claims climbed to 2.74 million compared with 2.69 million in the previous week.